Japanese prosecutors probe ex-minister's funds scandal

Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yuko Obuchi (C) is surrounded by reporters as she speaks in Tokyo, in this photo taken by Kyodo October 18, 2014. In a blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan's newly appointed trade and industry minister plans to resign following reports that some of her support groups misused political funds, Japanese media said on Saturday. Yuko Obuchi, the 40-year-old daughter of a former premier, has told people close to Abe that she plans to resign and take responsibility for a furore she caused, the Nikkei newspaper said, without citing any sources. [Photo/Agencies]

TOKYO - Prosecutors raided the support groups of former trade and industry minister Yuko Obuchi and her secretary's home on Thursday to formally investigate the then political star's funds irregularity issue, local media reported.

Obuchi, the 40-year-old daughter of a former prime minister, resigned on last Monday amid allegations that her support groups misused political funds. Some lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party as well as opposition parties, even called for her resignation from the House of Representatives.

The special investigative arm of Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office went through the home of Obuchi's aide Kenichiro Orita, who claims to have prepared the funds reports of her support group and another two of the four political bodies implicated in the scandal involving Obuchi.

According to previous reports, Obuchi's support groups have spent some 26 million yen ($245,600) on theater tickets for her backers in 2010 and 2011.

She has also been accused of facilitating spending of over three million yen (27,486 dollars) political funds in a boutique run by her brother-in-law and a design office run by her sister.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose administration has been hit by a spate of political funds scandals after his cabinet reshuffle in September, said he will wait for explanation from Obuchi as a parliamentarian the same day.

Obuchi was elected as lawmaker in Gunma Prefecture after her father, former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi died in 2000. She currently faces a criminal complaint from a civic group over her possible violation of the political funds control law and the public offices elections law.